Politicians debate Meals on Wheels pilot program slated to begin in the Bronx

The debate over the new Meals on Wheels pilot program, which is slated to begin in July, continued Thursday.

Politicians from the Bronx and city attended a hearing on the new initiative, which calls for ending hot meal deliveries to about 30 percent of senior citizens. City Council Speaker Gifford Miller says despite what people feel, the decision to implement the program is ultimately up to the mayor and Department of Aging.

Since the mayor announced the pilot program and its goal to save money, the city's comptroller issued a report saying the program will actually cost the city 5.6 percent more in the coming year.

The mayor has said the cuts are important because of the growing population of seniors. City Councilman Joel Rivera also supports the change and says if people can't stop the new program then they should at least try to do what they can to make it better.